Former Phillie Schilling diagnosed with cancer

Curt Schilling, shown being inducted into the Phillies’ Wall of Fame, has been diagnosed with cancer. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

Phillies legend and three-time World Series champion Curt Schilling has been diagnosed with cancer, the pitcher and his employer, ESPN, announced Wednesday evening. Schilling, 47, played nine years in Philadelphia.

“I’ve always believed life is about embracing the gifts and rising up to meet the challenges,” Schilling said in a statement. “We’ve been presented with another challenge, as I’ve recently been diagnosed with cancer. Shonda [his wife] and I want to send a sincere thank you and our appreciation to those who have called and sent prayers, and we ask that if you are so inclined, to keep the Schilling family in your prayers.”

It is unclear what particular cancer ails Schilling, who played in the majors for 20 years.

File under hate to ask, have to ask, but an ESPN spokesman said Schilling doesn't want to elaborate on the specifics of what he's facing.

In his nine years as a Phillie, Schilling won 101 games and struck out 1,554 batters — an average of 172.7 a season — and logged 300 or more strikeouts in two of those years. He posted a 3.35 ERA in Phillies pinstripes. He departed via a trade with the Diamondbacks in exchange for Omar Daal, Nelson Figueroa, Travis Lee and Vicente Padilla. He went on to win a World Series in Arizona (in which he won Series MVP), and two more later as a member of the Red Sox.

Last August. Schilling earned a plaque on the Phillies’ Wall of Fame. ESPN issued the following statement Wednesday:

“Our thoughts are with Curt and his family during this challenging time. His ESPN teammates wish him continued strength in his cancer fight and we look forward to welcoming him back to our baseball coverage whenever he’s ready.”

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